Fried Hot Water Cornbread Cakes

This hot water cornbread is a simple mixture of cornmeal and hot water with a few seasonings. The mixture is shaped into cakes and fried in hot fat in a skillet. Bacon drippings add smoky flavor these tasty corn cakes, but they can also be made with melted butter, shortening, or vegetable oil if you don't have the drippings or want to make them meat-free.

These hot water cornbread cakes are an old-time Southern staple, sometimes called hoecakes or corn dodgers. In New England and in other areas of the country they are called Johnnycakes or journey cakes. The term hoecake is found in writings as early as 1745.

I like them with maple syrup, but they would also be delicious with molasses or a cane or sorghum syrup. Or serve them as a base with creamed chicken or turkey. They are also great with baked beans or chili!

See the tips and variations below the recipe for some suggestions for add-ins and serving ideas.

What You'll Need

2 cups water

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups coarsely ground cornmeal

4 teaspoons bacon drippings

Optional: 1 teaspoon sugar

Shortening or bacon drippings for frying

How to Make It

Put the water and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a full boil over high heat.

Remove the water from the heat and add the cornmeal, bacon drippings or butter, and sugar, if using. Stir until a stiff dough is formed. Let the mixture stand just until the it is cool enough to handle.

Heat a heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium heat. Add enough shortening or bacon drippings to coat the bottom of the pan.

When the fat is hot, shape the cornmeal mixture into thin cakes and arrange them in the hot skillet.

Fry until lightly browned, turning to brown both sides.

Makes 4 to 5 servings of two corn cakes each.

Tips and Variations

Instead of plain cornmeal, use self-rising cornmeal mix.

Add 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the cornmeal mixture to lighten the texture a bit.

Bacon Cheddar Corn Cakes - Add a few tablespoons of crumbled bacon and 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the batter and omit the sugar. Serve with poached or scrambled eggs.

Jalapeno or Jalapeno and Cheese Corn Cakes - Add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh or pickled jalapeno peppers. If desired, add about 1/2 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese with the jalapenos. These are really good with chili or beans.